Presidency Reacts As Maersk Denies $600m Investment Deal With Nigeria

Danish Shipping and Logistics Company, A.P Moller-Maersk has denied having $600 million investment deal with the Nigerian government.

Osun Defender recalls that Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, had in a statement dated April 28, 2024 said Nigeria secured a $600 million investment to expand existing port infrastructure to accommodate more container shipping services in Nigerian ports.

According to Ngelale, Robert Uggla, chairman of A.P Moller-Maersk, made the investment commitment during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Saudi Arabia.

However, in a direct statement from Moller-Maersk on April 29, the company said it would not comment on any investment talks.

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“Maersk has been present in Nigeria for 35 years and, as a global provider of logistics services, we remain committed to develop opportunities for growth to people, the port sector and businesses locally.

“Therefore, it is natural to have an ongoing dialogue with the administration. However, we are not able to comment on any investment talks,” the company said.

Presidency Reacts

Meanwhile, while reacting to several media reports that Maersk denied such a million-dollar investment in Nigeria, Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, late Tuesday, said the company hasn’t denied the FG’s statements.

He said, “The media’s headline choice sparked controversy, not Maersk’s. Maersk hasn’t contradicted or denied the Federal Government of Nigeria’s statements.”